I was originally going to write this in a series of articles as 5 of my favorite Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, etc. restaurants, going through all of the boroughs (minus Staten Island). As I was drafting out each article, I realized that I had tons of Manhattan restaurants and almost none from the other boroughs. Even where I live in Queens, I only had one really awesome restaurant I wanted to talk about. This was kind of a wake-up call for me to get around the other boroughs more, especially my own! I still want to share with you guys my favorite restaurants, so I compiled it all into one big article featuring my favorites in all of NYC. And these are just a few! Most of them are located in Manhattan, but there are a few from the outer boroughs that are definitely worth trying!

Queen’s Comfort

I couldn’t save the best for last because if you take anything away from this article I want it to be this restaurant! Queen’s Comfort is my hands-down favorite restaurant in the history of ever. If you won’t take my word for it, take it from Guy Fieri who has featured QC in an episode of Triple D. And if that’s still not enough, this should be: fried sriracha mac and cheese balls. They’re appropriately named “fireballs” and they are everything. The inside looks like your crazy grandmother’s basement and it’s so cool. The walls are covered in artwork and action figures and anything else you could imagine!

What to order: Start with the fireballs, you have to. My boyfriend and I get two baskets for the two of us just because they’re that good. I always get the chicken and waffles, too! It’s BYOB so you can do that or order a glass of cold cider (my fave!).

Ippudo

Ippudo is a super popular Japanese ramen chain, and I can totally tell why. The ramen is really great, I have yet to find better in NYC! After living in Japan for 5 years my expectations are pretty high, and this comes pretty close! The best time to get ramen is on a cold rainy day! It will make you feel super warm and cozy. Ippudo always gets super busy on the weekends and there’s no reservations, so get there before they open or you’ll be standing outside in line for a while!

What to order: Start with the edamame and some water! I love my Ramen suuuuper spicy, so I always get the Torishio ramen with bakudan, which is a paste that makes the soup spicy! If you run out of noodles, you can always ask for kae-dama which is an extra serving of noodles if you’re not into drinking the soup!

Serafina

Serafina has locations all over the city, so each one is different! The one I always go to is super cozy in an upstairs loft and is really nice for an evening out. The food is traditional Italian, and the atmosphere is cozy and intimate. They have a location near the Met, so you can head over for a nice dinner at Serafina after a museum day!

What to order:The menu varies by location, so check out your local Serafina! There’s locations in NY, Massachusetts, LA, and Puerto Rico! However, I always get some variation of their margherita pizza (they have 4 different types!).

Lavagna

Lavagna is my boyfriend and I’s favorite special occasion restaurant! It’s a little place tucked away in the East Village, so it’s super quiet and intimate. The place is small and fills up on the weekends and for holidays, so book your table in advance! It is quite pricey, which is why it’s our special occasion restaurant. For two people getting a main dish and possibly a glass of wine, expect to spend between $80-$120.

What to order:Me and my boyfriend have never gotten an appetizer here, but I hear they’re great! For the entree, we both get the steak lavagna and it just melts in your mouth! They do offer specials on a 3-course meal for two, but unfortunately, the steak lavagna is excluded from that deal so we have never gone with that option.

Ulysses

Ulysses is a super cool bar-restaurant in FiDi (financial district) that serves the BEST food. I can’t vouch for the drinks, but by the looks of the always-crowded bar area, they must be pretty good to say the least. It’s located on a super cool pedestrian road called Stone Street and it’s filled with restaurants and packed full of young people on the weekends. It’s a great place to just hang out and share some apps!

What to order: Sit outside and share a bunch of appetizers with your friends! I love literally everything on their menu, but I usually share some combo of apps like mozzarella sticks, fries, chicken tenders, and sliders for a group of 4-6 depending on how hungry we are.

Shake Shack

I don’t know a single person who doesn’t like shake shack. It’s basically the upper scale version of McDonald’s but 1000x better. I’ve heard it’s comparable to In-N-Out, or if you’ve ever had Elevation Burger, it’s similar to that too. For a “fast food” type burger, it can get a little pricey but for a quick bite to eat it’s great. There’s locations all over NYC, but skip the Times Square location – it’s full of tourists and the lines are absurd.

What to order:I always get a bacon cheeseburger, but they’ve got all different kinds, including vegetarian options! I also really like the chicken sandwich if I’m not feeling a burger. I always order cheese fries too- they’re so good! They also have a huge variety of custards and shakes. My favorite is the black and white shake, but you can’t go wrong with any of them!

Black Tap

You’ve probably seen or heard about this place on social media before. They make crazy-good and gigantic milkshake concoctions that are to die for. The first time I went, I was a little skeptical whether the milkshakes actually tasted good in addition to looking good – and I was not let down! There’s a few locations in New York, and it’s a super fun restaurant to go to with your friends! It’s really small and it can get super busy on weekends and during tourist season, so get there early if you plan on getting shakes and a burger.

What to order:My friends and I went mainly for the shakes, so we didn’t order a main dish. We were able to get in quicker because we were only getting shakes, but it is standing room only for just shakes. It wasn’t a big deal though because the shakes were so good! I got the cookie flavor, but you can’t go wrong with any of them! Don’t skip out on getting a plate of fries with the Korean bbq dipping sauce – arguably as good as the shakes themselves! If you plan on eating a burger, they’re really big, so I suggest sharing a shake with a friend!

Umami Burger

Umami burger has several locations around the US! It’ a gourmet burger joint that really does have some of the best burgers I’ve ever had! They have some pretty cool burger choices including an ahi tuna burger!

What to order: I love the truffle burger and the sweet potato fries!

Salvatore’s of Soho

Located in the Bronx, me and my boyfriend go here when I’m visiting him at his school. It’s a really casual Italian restaurant that serves the best food for a good price! It’s super popular among college kids because it’s located right by Manhattan College, and it’s BYOB.

What to order:I usually order the chicken francese, chicken parm, or ravioli a la vodka. They also have a great selection of pizzas for dine-in or take out!

The Smith

I went to The Smith for my birthday almost a year ago and I would definitely do it again! The Smith has multiple locations throughout Manhattan, and they’re all super cute and cozy! It’s the perfect restaurant for any occasion – a birthday, brunch, or just hanging out!

What to order:All the dishes here sound amazing, but I really loved the pancakes with whipped ricotta, pecans, and caramel sauce! I’ve also heard the mac n’ cheese is to die for!

Brazen Fox

Another great spot in the city that serves gourmet “bar food” is Brazen Fox! It’s kind of like an upscale sports bar that serves all your favorites – burgers, onion rings, steaks and some seafood, and more! I’ve been to both the Manhattan and White Plains locations, and my favorite is the Manhattan location! I love the vibe of the restaurant and I think the food is just a little bit better!

What to order:If you’re just hanging out with a few friends, there’s a really good happy hour deal for an appetizer sampler for $15, which can serve 4-6 people! I also love their burgers – you can’t go wrong with any of them!

Sugar Factory

Sugar Factory is a super fun place to go that serves the craziest drinks! They’re called goblets, and they come in crazy colors and assorted candies and are even smoking! They can make them alcohol-free too if you’re not 21. I went here for my 18th birthday and we ate dinner and got the crazy drinks and it was super fun! The food was not bad, but I would mainly go again for the drinks. Celebrities like Vanessa Hudgens, Sasha Pieterse, and more have been spotted at sugar factory!

What to order:Get any of their goblets! They’re so fun and great to share because they’re so large! Don’t forget to bring your cameras to get pictures with your goblet!

Hourglass Tavern

Last but not least, Hourglass Tavern is an intimate, cozy restaurant tucked away in the Theatre District. I talked a little bit about it in my article about the best NYC date spots because it really is the perfect spot for a date. You could even attend a Broadway show before or after for a fun night out! They even have a pre-theatre prix fixe! The interior is super charming and cute, and the food is amazing!

What to order: I love their chicken alfredo, but I can guarantee you won’t be disappointed with anything on their menu!

What are your favorite NYC restaurants? Leave a comment to let me know!

I think I can speak for everyone when I say planning a good date night can be stressful. Finding something fun and entertaining without breaking the bank is a daunting task. And if you’re in NYC, the stress levels can go through the roof. With so many options, it’s hard to find something both fun and frugal. Date nights shouldn’t be stressful, they should be fun! So, I’ve decided to give you my list of top date spots in New York so you don’t have to stress as much. They’re fun, affordable, and most importantly, memorable.

Live Show Taping

I have been to 4 show tapings since I’ve been in New York – I’ve seen Jimmy Fallon (twice! and I fangirled both times), Seth Meyers, and Kelly and Michael! They’re definitely one of my favorite things to do, plus, most of them are FREE! Talk about an awesome, affordable date. But here’s the catch: because they are free shows, you have to book them a month in advance. Don’t worry if you don’t get tickets right away- I’ve been on the waiting list for all of my shows and I’ve always gotten tickets! The best part is that a ticket usually admits two or four people, so you can easily make this into an awesome double date!

Brooklyn Bridge Park

This is my all-time favorite place I’ve visited in NYC. Start this date in Brooklyn – you can take the East River Ferry to DUMBO if you’re in Manhattan. Go in the afternoon and enjoy all the park has to offer: great restaurants, interactive art installations, and STUNNING skyline views. At sunset, walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. The bridge is about a mile long, so you have plenty of time to enjoy not only the sunset views, but twilight views as well. Time it just right to see the skyline light up, and it’s truly stunning.

High Line + Chelsea Market

For a more casual date, the High Line and Chelsea Market are the perfect spots. First, head to Chelsea Market to chow down on some goodies. With so many different restaurants and bakeries, you’re bound to find something delicious. My favorite is Lucy’s Whey, with their absolutely amazing grilled cheeses. Browse the market’s cute little shops while enjoying your food, then grab some gelato to top it all off. Next, head over to the High Line for a scenic walk. It’s a re-purposed subway rail that sits above the city, running along the West End of Manhattan right by the water. You can sit and watch the cars pass by, see all of the beautiful buildings, and stop for a beverage along the way!

Empire State Building

Very touristy, but well worth it. You’ll feel like Blair and Chuck from Gossip Girl! When you get to the top, the views are spectacular. See for yourself in the featured image. You can see all of the city from the top! Avoid visiting during in the summer to dodge the long lines of tourists. You can add a fun twist to this date by visiting at midnight. Long gone are the long lines and strollers filled with toddlers. You may not be able to see as much, but the twinkling lights of the city are something you don’t want to miss.

Sunset Sail to Statue of Liberty

After grabbing dinner, take a cruise around the Statue of Liberty – you’ll get sights of the New York and New Jersey skylines, Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, Governor’s Island, and the Brooklyn Bridge. There’s a complimentary champagne toast and cash bar for those 21 and over.

Theatre + Dinner

Another one of my favorites, this is a fancier date. Dress up to see one of the many great shows on (or off!) Broadway. Catch cheaper tickets in advance, or if you’re feeling lucky, you can rush a show (meaning waiting in line at the box office the morning of the show) and hope to get tickets. Enjoy popcorn and candy and sing along during the show! Afterwards, get a nice meal. My favorite is Hourglass Tavern, a charming and intimate restaurant with great food. This will surely be a fun filled date night.

I can personally vouch for these dates, and they’re all great choices. I’ve made so many memories with my boyfriend on these dates and I hope you will too!

What’re some of your favorite date spots in NYC? Let me know in the comments!

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